Front of house receptionist jobs in islington, cardiff
Salary - Grade 3 - £31,133 plus £5,023 London Weighting per annum pro rata
Contract - Fixed term until March 2026
Part Time - 30 hours per week over four days
Location - London Hub, based in Hackney
Closing date: Wednesday 9th July 2025 at 11:30pm
Are you compassionate, proactive and collaborative with experience, knowledge of and/or proven ability in housing and homelessness advice and advocacy? If you’re looking for an exciting new career opportunity join Shelter as a Housing Rights Worker you could soon be playing your part in standing up to the housing emergency.
About the role
This role sits in the STAR Partnership which stands for Supporting Tenancies, Accommodation and Reconnections. We work in collaboration with Thames Reach, Stonewall Housing and Praxis, to support 4000 Londoners a year who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness, as well as working to improve Londoners’ ability to sustain a safe and secure home.
You will deliver high quality housing advice and advocacy in line with the hub’s local community priorities and the STAR Partnership framework and work with people who are experiencing homelessness and bad housing to identify issues facing local communities. You will plan and deliver casework to individuals and communities to resolve their housing situation and engage with community groups, local organisations and individuals to understand local housing issues and raise awareness of people’s rights.
You will also work in local community settings and with community groups to deliver advice and rights awareness workshops and make sure that people with lived experience of homelessness have opportunities to share their story, give their opinions and participate in the design and delivery of Shelter services. Offering day to day support to volunteers, providing learning, shadowing and mentoring and being a consistent role model for our values are also key aspects of the role.
About you
You are able to listen to, engage and work with individuals and communities and with all stakeholders, including people with lived experience of homelessness. You will have experience, knowledge of and/or proven ability in housing and homelessness advice and advocacy and are able to progress to specialist level knowledge, as well as the ability to carry out casework related interviews, maintain detailed case records, advise and support clients to make informed decisions. A proven record of delivering group workshops and presentations is essential, as is a collaborative, flexible and professional approach to your work.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
About the team
Our London hub specialises in providing housing advice and emergency homelessness work, intensive support to families, people experiencing domestic abuse and people experiencing multiple disadvantages. With 50 staff, we provide front line support to over 5,000 people a year and work to bring about systemic change with the ultimate aim of people being able to live securely in suitable, safe, affordable homes. London Hub’s priorities are improving the practice of local authorities and Registered Social Landlords and focussing on households disproportionately affected by the housing emergency.
There are currently around 60 individuals working in the Hub, including the Strategic Lead, Lead Solicitor, Service Managers, Team Leaders, Solicitors, Legal Advisors, Housing Rights Workers and Support Workers, Family Support Workers, DIY Skills Advisors, Administrators and Receptionist. We also have a range of volunteers.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding Statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
How to apply
Please click ‘Apply for Job’ on the advert. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting
statement with responses to the below bullet points. Please limit your word count to 350 words per point. Ensure your answer is a specific example related to your own experience:
- Your knowledge and experience of housing and homelessness advice and advocacy and the ability to progress to specialist level knowledge
- Your ability to listen to, engage and work with individuals and communities
- Your experience of delivering and/or ability to deliver group workshops and presentations
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Our operations team is led by the Chief Operations Officer (COO) and includes the finance and bookings & venue teams. This is a newly created role that will report directly to the COO and work closely with the wider operations team.
Scope of role
The role supports the delivery of our IT, facilities, health and safety across operations. They act as the first point of contact with outsourced providers and co-ordinate any work related to these areas.
The role is in place to support the project management and delivery of a set of work programs and there is a level of autonomy to make decisions on a project / work area basis within an agreed framework to deliver.
The role will hold the IT budget, and support COO with facilities budget; thus it is expected that there is a good understanding of the budgets to understand constraints and opportunities. The role can make spending decisions up to £2,000.
This role is designed to allocate approximately 60% of the focus on core IT functions and 40% on facilities and operational oversight including procurement.
They will be expecting to advise COO and wider SMT on IT and Operations related plans for the year.
Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Information Technology & Systems
- Be responsible with the support of the COO and wider SMT with all IT related strategy including procurement and streamline of new IT service provider/s. Including setting up KPIs’ and using these to assess performance.
- Manage the setup of new staff – including the procurement of equipment required for the role – this includes all communication tools.
- Managing the relationship and being the key point of contact with the technology suppliers and technology support providers.
- Identifying cost savings/efficiencies in the tech stack.
- Supporting IT KIT refresh plans and purchase, this includes audit of needs and vendor negotiations and lifecycle planning with the COO.
- Leading on regular assessment of IT and systems needs for all services and administrative staff.
Facilities, Health and Safety & General Administration - Act as the main point of contact with our property management company. Work with the COO to escalate issues.
- Book in contractors and maintain all required documentation in conjunction with other key stake holders (property manager/agent).
- Be the escalation point for maintenance issues, liaising with the property management company to make sure that issues are dealt with in a satisfactory manner.
- Work with H&S consultants and property managers to ensure all relevant training is planned for and carried out and Risk assessments are being completed and used.
- Work with HR to ensure that all relevant training is planned for and carried out.
- Maintain records for all mandatory tests in conjunction with our property agents.
- Liaise with the Events and Venue Manager to ensure building management is always in place, keyholding, security etc.
- Ensure smooth operations of front of house – including reception and security rotas and arranging additional cover as needed for events.
Projects
- Manage ad hoc projects on behalf of the operations team; such as refurbishments, implementation of printer management.
General
- Building good working relationships across the organisation
- Representing Toynbee Hall to external audiences
- Developing an open and ‘critical friend’ dialogue within our programmatic work
- Undertaking any other appropriate responsibilities that may arise such as top up of franking machines, and general administrative orders as needed.
- Hold regular catch ups with team members, and ensure they are meeting their yearly appraisals.
Managing Yourself
- Working toward an agreed annual work-plan meeting targets and milestones
- Prioritising and managing your workload
- Taking responsibility for your personal development and seek out opportunities for support and development
- Take part where appropriate in monitoring and evaluation planning and practice.
Essential Criteria:
- Project management experience.
- A high level of organisational skills.
An ability to understand complex information and communicate it simply. - Comfortable following processes and supporting other people to do so.
- Independent thought and attention to detail.
- High level expertise to use the Microsoft Office suite particularly Teams, Sharepoint, Excel and Outlook.
- A strong communicator with the ability to form trusting and supportive relationships quickly, internally and externally.
- Able to work proactively, independently and within a team.
- Able to work collaboratively with the wider teams at Toynbee Hall.
- Good negotiation skills.
- Basic level understanding of H&S, GDPR and confidentiality.
- Understand basic budget management and purchasing process.
- Ability to line manage two officer level operations team
- IT related qualifications and experience such as cyber security, Microsoft 365 suite skills.
- Good understanding of charity technology needs.
Please download the full Job Description for more details.
Our Benefits Package
We believe in supporting our employees with a well-rounded benefits package designed to enhance work-life balance, financial security, and overall well-being.
Annual Leave
- 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays).
- After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave.
- After 3 years: +1 additional day.
- After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown.
Pension
- Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%
Additional Perks & Support
- Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families
- Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
- Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
- Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
- Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting
- Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel
- Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking
We’re committed to creating a supportive and rewarding work environment, because when our team thrives, we all succeed!
About Toynbee Hall
Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.
We have recently launched a new strategic plan which reinforces that our purpose is to build a fairer future with an end to poverty, injustice and inequality.
We work towards this by:
- Addressing poverty and injustice through advice and support and influencing systemic change.
- Shifting power to people and communities affected by injustice and inequality.
- Collaborating to end poverty and build fairer systems and institutions. What we want to see in the world starts with our community and our organisation.
This means:
- Working together to build a thriving local community where people have the resources they need, feel their voices are heard and are optimistic about the future.
- Being a good employer, where people are treated fairly, feel engaged and empowered, and work together to achieve our shared vision.
- Acknowledging the role Toynbee Hall has historically played in civic society while recognising that our role now is to shift power, to be an effective partner, and to amplify voices that are less likely to be heard.
What we learn from our work in east London we use to inform and influence wider policy – working to influence change in structures, systems and policies.
Since 1884 Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice and inequality to build a fairer East London
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Could you contribute to, and support, both core work across the Society, aiding our resilience, and also support a series of projects that benefit from external funding?
Post: Administrative Assistant: Director’s Office
Department: Director’s Office
Responsible to: EA
Location: South Kensington, London SW7
Terms: Permanent, Full time
Salary: £26,675 - £27,525 per annum
The Society
The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography and geographers. It is also a charity and a membership organisation. The Society was founded in 1830 and has been one of the most active of the learned societies ever since. It was pivotal in establishing geography as a teaching and research discipline in British universities and continues to play a key role in geographical and environmental education.
The Society is a leading world centre for geographical learning – supporting education, teaching, research, professional practice and scientific expeditions, as well as promoting public understanding and enjoyment of geography and providing advice to policymakers.
The position
The Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers) is seeking an Administrative assistant within the Director’s Office. This is an exciting opportunity to work across core areas of the Society and support key projects. The successful candidate must have an interest in Geography and enthusiasm for the work of the Society. The ideal candidate will have worked in an administrative capacity and will be highly organised with strong time management skills. Interpersonal skills are equally important as they will be working with different teams and must be able to communicate effectively at all levels.
Duties and responsibilities
- Assisting in administration of events that bring senior media and cultural (museums; theatres) decision makers together with sustainability specialists through the course of the year
- Working with the Programmes team to deliver this a high profile new photography festival each July
- Backing the Explore team’s delivery of events and materials including the annual November expeditions and fieldwork festival and the development of the linked Handbook and wider events programme across the year.
- Supporting the Education team in running competitions and linked events
- Participating in membership renewal processing during the busiest period in January/February
- Contributing to the delivery of the Medals and Awards Ceremony and AGM and Reception
- Aiding the Collections team in its progressive re-organisation of stores around the building
- Assisting the Director’s Office team in getting the most out of our CRM in terms of network/contacts management
- Covering sickness for Front of House staff
- Administrative support throughout the Society’s Annual Conference
- General willingness to be a team player and provide support as and when needed to any department
In addition to general administration the role will bring or develop strong capabilities in getting the most out of our database (CRM) in relation to membership and wider contact development and tracking.
Selection criteria
The following are the requirements for this post. These are the criteria against which candidates will be shortlisted and judged.
Essential
- An interest in Geography and enthusiasm for the work of the Society.
- Experience of working in a similar or related role.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with people across the organisation, and to develop and maintain positive, productive relationships with external stakeholders.
- Having an eye for detail.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Ability to remain self- motivated whilst completing repetitive tasks.
- Able to handle confidential information with a high level of integrity and trustworthiness.
- A high standard of IT literacy, particularly Microsoft Office tools, email and experience using databases.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- A positive can-do attitude.
Salary and benefits:
This is a permanent, full time post subject to successful completion of a probationary period of three months. The salary range for this post is £26,675 - £27,525 per annum per annum depending on experience and qualifications. The post is based in Kensington, London.
There are a range of benefits at the Society which include the following:
- 35-hour working week with core working hours between 10.00am-4.00pm.
- Flexible working arrangements are available with a mix of office based and home working.
- 25 days annual leave per annum plus public bank holidays.
- Society closure between Christmas and New Year, in addition to the basic annual leave allowance.
- Pension scheme - 3% employee, 7.5% employer.
- Group Life Assurance at four-times basic annual salary.
- Corporate eye care vouchers.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Free 24-hour Employee Assistance helpline with available counselling support
Applications must be received by 9 am, Monday 7 July.
Interviews are planned to take place in the week commencing 14 July.
We thank, in advance, all candidates for applying and regret we are unable to write separately to those who are not selected for interview.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
The Society aims to be an equal opportunities employer.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. The Society is unable to offer work visa sponsorships.
No agencies please.